Cancer cells can avoid detection by suppressing the warning signals that would alert the immune system.

Led by Associate Professor Polly Chen, the team found that a protein called DDX6 helps switch off these signals. In laboratory studies, removing DDX6 made the cancer cells more visible to the immune system and slowed tumour growth.

The team is now looking for molecules that can block DDX6, with the aim of developing new ways to help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.

Read more at: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciimmunol.aea6909